Behavior of Ultra-thin and Thin Fiber-Reinforced Pavements on Granular Base

Abstract

With the increasing application of fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) in rigid pavements, the paving industry is now keen to construct thin FRC concrete pavements directly on the granular base layer for low volume roads. In order to understand the feasibility of such thin FRC pavements and to understand the structural responses and distress patterns, experimental test sections were built at the Minnesota Road Research facility (MnROAD) during the summer and fall of 2017. Six different cells were constructed varying in slab thickness, fiber dosage, and base layer thickness. All six of the cells were equipped with various sensors for measuring temperature gradient, dynamic and environmental load responses, as well as joint movement. Periodical distress surveys were conducted to quantify distresses. The joint performance was tested and analyzed for different seasons. The structural responses and distress patterns observed during the first year of the evaluation are presented in this paper. The early age contribution of synthetic structural fibers in reducing joint faulting, fatigue cracking and spalling are assessed based on the comparative performance of the test cells.